Top five: Manchester United Player of the Year contenders

Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick are the two favourites for Manchester United's Player of the Year for 2012/13.

The award - voted by the fans of Manchester United - is symbolic of ones achievements throughout the season, highlighting their contribution to the team.

The voting begins in April and is open to anyone who is a member of the Manchester United official website.

Their have been plenty of standout performers this season that have helped propel United to a 20th league crown. The smart money is on Robin van Persie, who's 29 goals in all competitions helped secure the title.

However, there are plenty of worthy candidates - as well as Van Persie - who have all had a massive contribution to United's domestic dominance, all worthy of recognition.

1. Robin van Persie

There's not much more that can be said about Manchester United's number 20. His 24 league goals in his debut campaign at United helped the Manchester club re-claim the Premier League title from their 'noisy neighbours', Manchester City.

A 29-year-old in the last year of his contract, costing £24 million sounded ludicrous at the time for certain sections of the Old Trafford faithful. However, his Premier League medal and the clubs 20th title signifies that United were right to sign the Dutchman - who quickly wrote his name into the Manchester United folklore with his performances this season.

2. Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick's elegant consistency this season earned him a spot as a PFA Players' Player of the Season candidate. The 31-year-old arrived at United in 2006, and has already amassed five Premier League medals.

It is this season that Carrick has finally been recognised as a world-class midfielder. His trophy haul at Manchester United since his arrival shows how valuable he is to the club, who even have a new song comparing Carrick to club legend, Paul Scholes.

'Woah woah woah it's Carrick, you know, hard to believe its not Scholes!'

3. Rio Ferdinand

A few years ago, it seemed that Rio Ferdinand was at the end of his illustrious playing career. A chronic back injury ruled him out for three months of the 09/10' season, and a success of other injuries seemed to sabotaged any potential comeback.

However, Ferdinand has become Manchester United's most able and reliant central defender for the past two seasons. The injuries of Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling throughout parts of the last two seasons left United with just two fit defenders.

He may not the physical specimen he once was - although recent pictures of the United celebrations would say otherwise - but he is now able to use an incredible footballing brain to ease through Premier League opposition, and steer Ferguson's men to the Premier League title.

Included in the PFA Team of the Year, Ferdinand has had an incredible season at United. Jones, Smalling and Evans may be the future - but Ferdinand this year showed there is no substitute for experience.

4. David de Gea

The 22-year-old was the media's number one scapegoat in his first season at United. Having ridden out the media storm, David de Gea has been one of United's star performers in their successful recapture of the Premier League title.

Excellent reflexes and handling, exceptional reactions and immaculate distribution, all combined with a new broader, muscular frame has seen David de Gea mature into a fine young keeper at United, with his inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year a clear justification.

The young Spaniard has come on leaps and bounds mentally and physically this season, and has been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.

5. Wayne Rooney

Perhaps a surprise inclusion for some of you but Manchester United's number 10 has had an incredible season.

Rooney has 12 Premier League goals for Manchester United this season. When you bear in mind Rooney has spent time on the sideline through injury and lack of form, as well as playing out of position for parts of the campaign - his stats the season show he has performed adamantly.

The English international has been linked with a move away from United ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left him on the bench against Real Madrid in arguably United's biggest game of the season. But for all the links to PSG, Manchester City et al, the media still fail to realise that Ferguson's game plan was working to perfection before Nani was sent off.

As I've said before, there is not one player in this current United squad who have the ability, determination and willingness to play anywhere on the park for United.

Rooney has done whatever the manager has asked this season to help his side win this season.

That pass to Robin van Persie in the penultimate game against Aston Villa was a reminder to all of Rooney's ability - something that Sir Alex and Manchester United will simply not give up on this summer.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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